Machine for operating on footwear



J. BOUCHAL MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON FOOTWEAR Nov. 29, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 21, 1947 Nov. 29, 1949 I J. BOUCHAL 2,489,558

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON FOOTWEAR Filed Jan. 21, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 29, 1949 J. BOUCHAL I MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON FOOTWEAR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fi1 ed Jan. 21, 1947 JJ 6 59 l/ enizm, JZWOSA 1W .BOUCWQL Nov; 29, 1949 -J. BOUCHAL MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON FOOTWEAR- 5 Shets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 21, 1947 Jozosmy Baum/0i Nov. 29, 1949 J. BOUCHAL 2,4

MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON FOOTWEAR Filed Jan. 21, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I V l :5 V ql r j q I '33 k $9 l I w E '1" R 7 mania? M r Jaeoamv Baum/24. I l

Patented Nov. 29, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,489,558 MACHKNE FOB OPERATING ON FOOTWEAR .laroslav Bouchal, Zlin,

to Bata, Narodni'podnik, Zlin,

Czechoslovakia, assignor Czechoslovakia Application January 21, 1947, Serial No. 723,442 In Germany March 23, 1943 Section 1, Public Law1690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires March 23,1963

6 Claims. (Cl. 12--1'7) the shoe, that is the work support, imparts to the shoe to be operated on plane motions which are, for instance, derived from cam discs. These motions arein each case dependent on the shape of the cam discs and are limited as regards the range of motion. In the machines of this type, hitherto known, the supports of the tool or tools were so arranged that the tool could be moved only towards and away from the work, so that the point of application at the work could be varied only by the movement of the work support itself. Moreover, the start and finish of the operation on the work, for instance along the sole edge of a shoe, was thus in each case determined only by the movement of the work support, being thus dependent on the shape of the particular cam disc. Owing to the great diversity in the shapes and sizes of shoes, it was, consequently, necessary to provide for each machine a great number of cam discs, each change of which entailed a considerable loss of time. Furthermore, owing to the inadequate adjustability of the tool support itself, it was not possible always to obtain uniform products, even when operating on shoes of the same form and size, as, in view of the unavoidable differences of the work pieces or inaccurate clamping of the same, the result of the operation does not always turn out alike. The sole edge operated on will then, for instance, show imperfectly finished places which would subsequently have to be put right by hand or in another machine adapted for that purpose. Should the tool be driven too far, in the peripheral direction of the sole edge, then, with the usual rigid arrangement of the tool support in this direction, damage. to the shoe heelwill often occur.

Machines are also known, in which only the forward part of the sole periphery is operated on, whilst the shank parts as far as the heel are operated on by hand. Whilst in such machines it is not a matter of such importance to keep exactly to the starting and finishing position of the tool, when operating on the sole edge, finishing by hand or on other machines becomes unavoidable.

According to the present invention the disadvantages of the machines of the aforesaid type hitherto in use are overcome in a surprisingly .simple manner by the expedient that the tool support is made not only movable in the direction towards and away from the work, but also adjustable in the peripheral direction of the work, for example, when operating on the sole edge of a shoe, tangentially to the sole edge. The

- eiiect of this is that at the commencement of the operation, the tool can be applied by the operative exactly at the heel and similarly, at the end of the operation, can be taken up to the heel again on the other side, independently of the motion of the work itself, which is positively controlled in a known manner by special cam discs. As a particular advantage of the arrangement according to the invention may be mentioned the possibility of greatly reducing the requisite number of cam discs for different forms and sizes of shoes, as one set of these discs can be made use of for a whole series of difierent kinds and sizes of shoes. This results in considerable economies in. servicing and maintenance costs of the machines of this kind. Finally, a particularly great advantage of the arrangement according to the invention has proved to be the circume stance, that with each shoe the entire sole edge, including the shank parts, can be operated on uninterruptedly and smoothly right up to the heel of the shoe in a completely satisfactory manner.

In order to make the invention more readily understood a description shall now be given; with reference to the accompanying drawings of a. cut polishing machine, although the practical em;- bodiment of the invention is not limited to these machines, but can also be applied to other similar machines for other operational purposes.

The individual illustrations show:

Figure'l a side elevation of the machine;

Figure 2 the arrangement of the tool support with the driving mechanism in section and to an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 a view of the tool support in the direction of the arrow III in Figure 1 to an. enlarged scale;

Figure. 4 a section on line and Figure 5 a view of the work fixing mechanism seen in the direction of the arrow V in Figure 1.

Figure 6 the tool driving mechanism in section on an enlarged scale.

IV'-IV of Figure 1 Figure 7 a detail of Figure 6 also on an enlarged scale.

The fixing means for the shoe consist of a horseshoe-shaped frame I which is guided by means of sliding piece 2 in guides of a rotatable head piece 3. The effect of the combination of the rotary and sliding motion is that the sole edge, for instance, travels along past the fixed tool, being operated on during its progress.

The rotary motion of the clamping frame I is derived, from cam discs 4, on which bears a roller 5 supported in a fork 6. The fork 6 actuates an arm I mounted so as to be capable of rocking on a shaft I and provided with a toothed segment 8 which meshes with a toothed pinion 9 which is rigidly coupled with the clamping head 3. The roller is kept in contact with one of the cam discs 4 by means of an air pressure device, see Figure 4., in which a similar device for the control device, described below, of the sliding motion of the clamping frame I is illustrated.

The sliding motion of the clamping frame I is derived from cam discs I6, against which a roller II bears, which is supported in the fork I8 of an arm I9 capable of rocking about the shaft I 0. The toothed segment 20 of this lever arm meshes with a pinion 2| on the shaft 22 which is rotatable in the interior of the rotary head 3. The roller I1 is pressed against the periphery of the cam disc by means of a pneumatic cylinder 23 (Figure 4), the piston 24 of which is connected through a piston rod 26 with the arm 25 of the lever I9. The air pressure in the cylinder 23 thus ensures the maintenance of a constant pressure which is independent of the throw of the levers. The oscillation of the pinion 2I, taking place in this Way, on the cam discs I6 turning, produces a displacement of the clamping frame I in the guide ways of the rotary head 3, namely through the rotary motions of the shaft 22 being converted into sliding motions through the intermediary of a suitable device. This device consists of a sprocket wheel 2? (Figure 5) with two chains 28 and 29. The chain 28 is attached with one end to the sprocket wheel 21, say at the point 27', and is taken over a tightening roller 30 which is rotatably supported in the rotary head 3. The other end of the chain 28 is then connected at the point 3I with the sliding part of the clamping frame I. The other chain 29 is attached alongside the chain 28 to the sprocket wheel 21, also at about the point 21, and, after passing about once round the wheel, is taken over an oppositely disposed tightening roller 32, being connected at its other end with the sliding part at the point 33. The sliding motions of the clamping frame I are in this way accurately limited and are determined by the size and shape of the cam disc which happens to be in position. When changing over from one cam disc to an other, the roller I! (and also the roller I6 of the previously described arrangement) is temporarily lifted from the cam disc by reversing the compressed air in the appropriate cylinder 23.

The drive of the cam discs 4 and i5 is provided by a motor 35 (Figure 1) by means of a belt drive over gear wheels 38, 39 and worm gearing 40, M to the shaft 42. The motor is supplied with electric current from a power line I09. On this shaft 42 is keyed, besides the cam discs 4 and I6, a cam disc 43 which controls a device for fixing the tool support in a definite position, which device also constitutes releasing means permitting the tool to be moved by hand in certain phases of operation of the machine. For this purpose the roller 44 of the fork 35 of a pressure-transmitting bar 46 is actuated by the cam disc 43 which, according to its shape, brings about at definite moments in conjunction with the cam discs 4 and I6, that is, as soon as these discs initiate or terminate the operative motions of the clamping frame I, a displacement of the pressure transmitting bar 46 in the guide Al and thereby pushes the end 48 of the bar 46 into or out of the'recess 49 of a bracket 50 (Figures 1 and 4). This bracket 50 is rotatable about a vertical pivot 52 (Figure 2) and carries four two-armed levers 5! and 5i which are suspended so as to be rotatable about pivots 53, 53' perpendicular to the axis of rotation 52 of the bracket 50. The result of this arrangement is that after the release of the bracket 50 through the bar end 48 being pushed out of the recess 49, the unsupported ends of the levers 5i, 5! can be displaced both about the pivot 52 and the perpendicular pivots 53, 53.

Now, the four parallel levers 5|, 5I' support at one end a driving device (Figure 1) for the derivation of the operative movement of the tool with an accessory tool support 55 and at the other end the driving motor 56 which at the same time serves the purpose of a counterpoise'. The motor 56 is supplied with electric current by the conductor I I0. The drive from the motor 55 to the belt pulley 51 is by way of a belt 58 (Figure 2) which is made of elastic material and is capable of adapting itself during the working operation to the variations in the axial distance between the belt pulley 59 of the motor and the belt pulley 51.

The tool is pressed against the working surface, that is to say, against the periphery of the sole, with constant pressure which is produced by a pneumatic cylinder 60 (Figure 2) through the intermediary of the piston 6| which acts on a screw 62. The screw 62 is adjustable in a pro jecting part 63 of the bracket 50. The pneumatic cylinder 60 is fixed to one of the levers 5|. At the end of the operation the tool is lifted automatically from the work, this being effected through the action of the tension sprin 64 attached to the bracket 50 and through the weight of the motor 56, as soon as the pressure in the cylinder 60 ceases to be effective.

The device for the derivation of operative movements of the tool which, in the case of a cut polishing machine, performs oscillatory motions is known per se and shall be described below only as far as appears necessary for explaining the invention. The form of a device which also effects the adjustment of the tool mentioned later, appears from Figs. 2 and 6. The pulley 57 is keyed upon a shaft 91 which is journaled in bearings 98, 98 of box 56, 66'. The middle portion 99 (see also Fig. 7) of shaft 91 between bearings 98, 98 is angularly offset to the axis of the shaft angle and carries two bearings IGI within sleeve I00. This sleeve is provided with two trunnions I02 the longitudinal axis of which passes through the point of intersection of the axis of bearings 98, 98 and of the axis of the angularly related axis of portion 99. The trunnions I02 carry a bail I03 which on one side is integral with the box I 04 rotatably mounted in bearings I05, I 01 and on the other side is provided with a trunnion I 06 which is journaled in bearing I05 between the housing halves 66, 66. Since the housing halves 66, 66

are journal'ed' in the bearing: I08 of I8 and exteriorly of this box are-providedi with a: pinion H, the housing halves $6, 66 together with; the mechanism housed in, box T8 are rotatable in bearings lUT, I118. Box IM' carriesarigidly hei'd: pin- 55 with ball 121 The operation of this device. is as followsr During rotation ofpulI'ey'E-T driven by motor 563 the shaft 9'] turns together with. the angularly. offset portion 99 which in consequence on" its oblique position by the intermediary ofl sleeve I and trunnion I62 causes an. oscillation: .ot bail I03 in the bearings H15, 1115 Thisosciliation ofbail 103- is: by: the intermediary of box HIE of trunnion 65 transmitted to; ball". 12 and from the latter over lugs-113?, 13 to: the toothed wheel 1 8 (Fig. 3). This-wheeli 11611112381165 with racks- 8-5, 85' from which the to and fro: move! ments' are transmitted'to thetool? 80,. sinceathe obliquity of portion 99 shaft: 91% is. compares tivelysmall, the oscillation of hair I113: and the entire drive assembly of the, tool coordinated therewith is: also small, but has a. comparatively high frequency.

An eventual. turning of the driving device; is effected fo-r'the purpose of changing theoperative surface of the-tool; during the operation: at the moment where the forward part of the: sole edge. mergesinto the shank part; Such-.a turn;- ingris brought-about through the action of com.- pressed. air on the piston 68 of a. cylinder: 69. and the turning produced thereby of the pinion: 1:! lay-the teething- In. of the piston. 68;. The pinion H. which embraces the two: casing halves 66-; 6E. causesthe whole inner gear box'tdturn: Aslong as shoes: are being. operated on, which require no change of the tool surfaces, the gear box 66, 66 is secured against turning by a screw 61.

The ball l2 of the pivot 6-5 carries two lugs 13, 13' which lie in internal keyways.14, ,1.5 of the toothed wheel 16 (Figure 3) and permit the tool support to oscillate ina plane perpendicular to the axis of the gudgeons l1, E11 even duringthe ope a on S c a s il atory movement. takes place for the purpose of following the sole edge by turning the tool support about the horizontal gudgeon pins 11, TI which are fixed to supporting arms 19, 19 of the outer gear box 18 (Figure 2). For enabling this oscillatory movement of the tool support to take place and the toothed wheel '16 to be placed on the ball 12, the wheel has a corresponding spherical cavity.

The transmission of the rotary oscillations of the pivot pin 85 or the toothed wheel 16, already referred to, to the actual tool 80 which is rotatable about the pin 8i (Figure 3) is effected through the intermediary of a toothed wheel 84 by way of toothed segments 82, 83 and the racks 85, 85. These racks are kept in mesh with the respective toothed. wheels by pins 86 supported by adjustable holders 81, 81, which pins may be provided with guide rollers. The actual tool support 88 is in addition suspended in a bearing 90 of a transverse member 95, so as to be capable of rotary motion, and thus makes also possible an adaptation to any angular deviations in following the periphery of the sole. The oscillatory movements of the tool support 38 are also taken part in by the guiding parts 81, 8'! fixed to it and also by the racks 85, 85' as well as the toothed wheel l6, which movements, however, the ball 12 readily permits within certain limits.

In Figure 2 two tools 89, 80 are arranged next to one another, which are intended for alternately operating on a right or left shoe. Each of these tools is so mounted as to be capable of rockin on-cknife wcnlgesfl'z; Q2 for-enablingitto be perfectly adapted: to: the surface of, the sole edge. to be; operated on. Thenecessary displace ment: for: the purpose of the; adjustment, accord.- ing to whether a; night shoe or a left shoe is to be. operated; on, is. effected by, means of a. pneulmatic: cylinder (Figure 2:) which. after actuating an appropriate valve; producestherequired displacement along the pins 9!, at. The heat ing of the tools, required in polishing machines, is; efiectedf by an, electric; heating. body 94;.

For guiding the tools by hand there is provideo a. handle 95,: which. in. the arrangemen according to the invention, enables. the tool. to be applied. inits initial position against the, sole edge. close: to the heel; the. rotatable bracket 5!) not; yet: being blocked; and: also; enables the tool to be guided by-hand or permit an adjustment of the. operative point with respect to. the: still stationary work up. to themoment when the cam discs. 5, lfii and 4.3 begin to act. Similarly, after the cam: discs 4, l6. have ceased to: actand the bracket 50 has been; released by disengagement of: the: end 48 of the; bar 45 f-rom the. recess. 49 the: arrangement according to the inventionv enables the tool to be: moved again, over. a. portion of the sole edge already operated, on, by hand close up. to the heel; This providesthe-possibility, of advantage for certain operative phases of getting away from the automatic, constrained motion; of the tool.

I claim:

1-. A: machine. for operating; on footwear conp prisingv a work; support: for holding; the; shoe. to be: operated on, a tool for'operating. on. the shoe, a tool support carrying the said, tool and: movable,- in two directions, means for moving the work support soas to move the shoein relation to the; tool, releasable means for holding thetool supportagainst movement in one of. said; directions, and: means effective; in a predetermined position of the work support for releasing said holding means, the tool support being movable, when. released; insuch a manner asto permit. of a partial displacement of the point of application of the tool to the shoe in the direction of the sole edge being operated upon.

2. A machine for operating on footwear comprising a work support for holding the shoe to be operated on, a tool for operating on the shoe, means for moving the work support so as to move the shoe in relation to the tool, means for transmitting operative motions to the tool, a tool support carrying the said tool and also carrying the said transmitting means, the said tool support being rotatable about two axes, one of which is perpendicular to the plane tangent to the sole surface being operated upon, the other being approximately perpendicular to the first said axis and at the same time being parallel to the said plane, releasable means for holding the tool support against movement about one of said axes, and means effective in a predetermined position of the work support for releasing said holding means, the said tool support being movable, when released, in such a manner as to permit of a partial displacement of the point of application of the tool to the shoe in the direction of the sole edge being operated upon.

3. A machine for operating on footwear comprising a work support for holding the shoe to be operated on, a tool for operating on the shoe, means for transmitting operative motions to the tool, a tool support carrying the said tool and also carrying the said transmitting means, four two-armed parallel levers turning about a common axis, the tool support being suspended in the said levers, a driving electric motor carried by the said levers at one end thereof, the motiontransmitting means being carried by the said levers at the other end thereof, the tool support being movable in such a manner as to permit of a partial displacement of the point of application of the tool to the shoe in relation to the work support and means for moving the work support so as to move the shoe in relation to the tool.

4. A machine for operating on footwear comprising a work support for holding the shoe to be operated on, a tool for operating on the shoe, means for transmitting operative motions to the tool, a tool support carrying the said tool and also carrying the said transmittingmeans, four twoarmed parallel levers turning about a common axis, the tool support being suspended in the said levers, a driving electric motor carried by the said levers at one end thereof, the motion-transmitting means being carried by the said levers at the other end thereof, the tool support being movable in such a manner as to permit of a partial displacement of the point of application of the tool to the shoe in relation to the work support, means for moving the work support so as to move the shoe in relation to the tool, and a ball pivot carried by the parallel levers, a portion of the motion-transmitting means being suspended from the ball pivot through which the drive is transmitted, thereby enabling the position of the tool to be adapted to various inequalities in the curvature of the surface of the work on which it operates.

5. A machine for operating on footwear comprising a work support for holding the shoe to be operated on, a tool for operating on the shoe, means for transmitting operative motions to the tool, a tool support carrying the said tool and also carrying the said transmitting means, the said tool support being rotatable about two axes perpendicular to one another and being movable in such amanner as to permit of a partial displacement of the point of application of the tool to the shoe in relation to the work support, means for moving the work support so as to move the shoe in relation to the tool, a ball pivot carried by the tool support and constituting an element of the motion-transmitting means, a portion of the motion-transmitting means being suspended from the ball pivot, means for imparting an oscillatory rotary motion to the ball pivot about its own axis, and racks for transmitting this oscillatory rotary motion to the tool.

6. A machine for operating on footwear, comprising a work support for holding the shoe to be operated on, a tool for operating on the shoe, means for transmitting operative motions to the tool, a tool support carrying the said tool and also carrying the said transmitting means, the said tool support being rotatable about two aXes perpendicular to one another and being movable in such a manner as to permit of a partial displacement of the point of application of the tool to the shoe in relation to the Work support, means for moving the work support so as to move the shoe in relation'tothe tool, a ball pivot carried by the tool support and constituting an element of the motion-transmitting means, a portion of the motion-transmitting means being suspended from the ball pivot, means for imparting an oscillatory rotary motion to the ball pivot about its own axis, racks for transmitting this oscillatory rotary motion to the tool, and adjusting means connected with the ball pivot to enable the working surface of the tool to be displaced while the machine is in operation.

BOUCHAL, JAROSLAV.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Jackson et al. Nov. 4, 1913 Number 

